Where to stay for Songkran festival - Thailand New's Year - Asia Travel Tips

Agoda.com, a popular online travel company specializing in discount hotel bookings in Asia, is planning for Songkran, the Thai New Year celebration, by securing availability and offering a wide range of hot hotel deals in famous Songkran destinations in Thailand. The festival is most heavily celebrated in Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Chaing Mai, Samui and Phuket.

Songkran is Thailand's largest, most popular celebration and is similar to Loy Kratong with water being the focus. The use of water originally began as a demonstration of respect, by gently pouring a small amount of water over another person's hands. Symbolic cleansing still plays a big part in this culturally significant ceremony, however the festival has now evolved from the traditional and taken on a life of its own, escalating into the world's biggest water fight. Splashing and showering others in water now symbolizes washing away bad luck.

Each year, tourists from all over the world take part in Thailand's soaking wet fun in the sun. The festival is held in mid-April when the weather is warmest and the celebrations are a sweet relief from the oppressive Thai summer heat. Thailand's countrywide water fight festival generally lasts for three days, from the 13th to the 15th of April.

Songkran is traditionally a time to celebrate with family, pay respect to elders and express optimism for the year ahead. Bangkok becomes seemingly tranquil with far fewer cars on the usually congested roads as locals return to their hometowns for the celebrations. The exception however is Khao San Road, the backpacker and tourist haven, which becomes jam-packed with both foreign and local water fighters, drenching each other with water guns, buckets, cups, and anything with the capability of containing and throwing water.

Agoda.com is a Singaporean based company with operations in Bangkok and a multinational staff sharing a combined passion for travel. They recently polled their foreign staff asking them to recount experiences and feelings towards Songkran to see how tourists/expats actually perceived the Thai celebration. Those who have experienced Songkran agree it is an amazing festival, unique to this part of the world.

Jean, a Canadian living in Bangkok and working with Agoda, has lived through a couple of Songkran celebrations, said, "It's one of the few occasions where absolutely everybody is smiling on the streets. And the water fights are so much fun, everyone gets in on it."
A veteran water fighter, Jean added, "The bucket is the best weapon. Nothing beats a sneak attack from behind and pouring the whole bucket on someone's back while they are completely unaware. And don't forget to say "Sawadee pee mai krrrab!" in their ear with a big smile as a finishing touch."

Phil, a UK staff member who has been able to experience Songkran in several places throughout Thailand, said, "Thailand is extremely hot during this time of year, and a big water fight in the hottest month makes a lot of sense. This year, I would like to try somewhere different. I have celebrated Songkran three times so far, in Chiang Mai, Bangkok, and Ubon Ratchathani. Every place is different, unique and a lot of fun. I tell my friends at home it's something they should all experience at least once."

While Songkran in Thailand is very popular, nearby Laos also celebrates the New Year at the same time, called "Boun Pi Mai". Luang Prabang and Vientiane are recommended for tourists who prefer the much more subdued Laotian celebrations. During the Laos festivals, people tend to ease up on the water fights and focus more on the religious aspects, like bathing images of Buddha in temples. The first train from Nongkai province traveling into Laos recently opened, making it easier to experience the New Year celebrations of both countries.

The Thai New Year festival draws about a million foreign tourists to Thailand each year to take part in the celebrations. Agoda is offering special rates for Thailand's and Lao's hottest destinations in recognition of the Songkran festival.

THAILAND

• Column Residence, Bangkok 4.5-star, rate starting at USD 63 (normally USD 109)
• Chaophaya Park, Bangkok 4-star, rate starting at USD 37 (normally USD 63)
• Baiyoke Sky, Bangkok 4-star, rate starting at USD 68 (normally USD 118)
• Dynasty Grande Hotel, Bangkok 4-star, rate starting at USD 53 (normally USD 92)
• I-Residence, Bangkok 3.5-star, rate starting at USD 28 (normally USD 48)
• Dawin Nana Hotel, Bangkok 3.5-star, rate starting at USD 42 (normally USD 73)
• Aisawan Resort and Spa, Pattaya 4-star, rate starting at USD 54 (normally USD 94)
• Best Western Pattaya 3-star, rate starting at USD 43 (normally USD 74)
• Dhevan Dara Resort and Spa, Hua Hin 4-star, rate starting at USD 81 (normally USD140)
• Bacchus Home Resort, Hua Hin 3-star, rate starting at USD 48 (normally USD 84)
• De Naga Hotel, Chiang Mai 4-star, rate starting at USD 90 (normally USD 155)

LAOS

• Chanthavinh Resort and Spa, Luang Prabang 4-star, rate starting from USD 57 (normally USD 99) 3 night stay discount of 15%
• Green Park Boutique hotel, Vientiane 4-star, rate starting from USD 102 (normally 176)

Tourists can secure alternative accommodation for enjoying Songkran in Thailand's and Lao's hot cities via Agoda's website www.agoda.com or contact the Agoda Team via e-mail at info@agoda.com.

Great 6 Budget Travel Tips : Budget Hotels and Hostels

The world-wide economic slump has left many of us wondering what to do with our vacations. A big hotel bill can be tough to swallow, but don't abandon that dream trip to Italy or Japan just yet.

We don't travel to visit hotels do we? No, we travel to visit the country, to revel in the culture, to eat the food! Alternative accommodation options like budget hotels and hostels are great for saving money.

Our Bangkok hotels start as low as $13USD/night! With so many frugal options available, hostel travel is an excellent way to save money and still have that vacation of a lifetime. Choose a cheaper choice instead of the usual fancy schmancy hotel and there will be enough money left-over to splurge on other things. Just know what to expect...

Here are some tips to get you familiarized with budget hotels and hostels:

1. Privacy: Expect a lack of privacy. The majority of hostel rooms are meant to be shared with other guests to cut costs and encourage socializing. Check-in with an open mind and use the opportunity to make new friends. Make sure to find out in advance whether the property is co-ed or male/female quarters, to avoid misunderstandings.

Additional Tip: Bring earplugs and a sleep mask.

2. Sharing: You get some of the best travel tips and insider advice staying at budget hotels and hostels. These affordable alternatives are extremely popular with many seasoned travelers who prefer staying in hostels and budget accommodations over regular hotels. Comparing notes and sharing travel experiences with others opens up new opportunities and new adventures.

Additional Tip: Due to the increasing demand of budget rooms, always be flexible and have a backup plan in case of rejections at the first, second, or even third hostel of your choice.

3. Cleanliness: Chances of getting a spotless room can be slim. Most of the time, guestrooms will be very basic with a minimum of facilities. Guests occasionally are expected to provide their own toiletries and share bathrooms and toilets with other guests. Also note that hot water supply may be at a premium so calculate your shower time wisely.

Additional Tip: Bring shower shoes/flip-flops.

4. Safety: You will find different properties have very different standards and guidelines. Commonly, guests are left to tend to their own safety and personal belongings. In that regard, bring your own padlocks for lockers and bring coins for locker rental. On the flip-side, many hostels adopt very strict rules for safety. Shutting down at a specific time is common, and guests may be locked out if not back before then.

Additional Tip: Some hostels have age limit, make sure you check before booking.

5. Checking In/Out: It is important to be punctual. You can lose your booked room to other travelers if you're late checking-in. In some cases, guests may be asked to pay at check-in or required to make a deposit of some sort whether it be money, passport, etc. Early check-out is almost always mandatory so be prepared.

Additional Tip: Bring both cash and a credit card since different accommodations accept varying methods of payment.

6. Common Areas: Common areas like TV-rooms and cafeterias tend to be noisy and crowded. Any prospective guests with a low tolerance for noise should check with the hotel whether they enforce quiet hours. It's a good idea to be punctual for meals (if not early) as they're usually served as a buffet and being late could mean going hungry, if the food runs out. It is also wise to bring your own utensils to avoid fighting it out with other hungry guests and it also tends to be more hygienic.

Additional Tip: Bring anti-bacterial wipes/spray/gel.

Article Provide by Agoda: Online Hotel Booking

How to Get a Better Treat When You Travel? - Travel Tips

People like to help you celebrate, so when it's your birthday, anniversary and most especially your honeymoon, make sure you let the world know. Tell the travel agent, tell the check in agent at the airline, tell the front desk agent at the hotel, tell the doorman, the bellboy, the waiter, the bartender. Tell anyone associated with making your honeymoon an amazing one, because there is a good chance you'll to get free stuff.

Free upgrade to first class? Maybe. Free upgraded room? Maybe. Free bottle of champagne with chocolate covered strawberries?

Maybe. Free dinner or desert? Maybe. Free room night? Maybe? Free new 2009 BMW M-5? umm, may be not! But hey it's worth the try anyway.

Khao San Road-The Backpackers Guide to Bangkok - Travel Tips

Khao San (the name meaning raw or husked rice) is the backpacker's paradise which came to prominence in the early 80's, when budget travelers who couldn't afford Bangkok hotels but still wanted to be near to the Royal Palace to watch ongoing celebrations, convinced local residents to rent out rooms and beds.

Guest houses, hostels, pubs and shops soon started to pop-up on the road offering cheap beds, rooms, food and booze laying the groundwork for the area that exists today. With the current cooling economic climate casting chills through our pockets, now is as good a time as any to revisit Khao San on the next trip through SE Asia. The area is still the cheapest in Bangkok, with accommodations varying from mattresses in a shared space (some as cheap as $2USD/night) to private hotel rooms with all the amenities.

The street still has everything Bangkok is famous (and notorious) for; ubiquitous shopping stalls offering "famous" names; hawkers offering pirated CD's, DVD's, diplomas and ID's; food stalls selling some of the best in local cuisine; and with travel and tour agencies, massage parlors, bars, pubs, and tourists in town from every corner of the globe, this is still Bangkok's primary party spot.

And the street isn't just for farangs anymore as local Bangkok residents are rediscovering Khao San. Artists and designers have returned, setting up shops and studios to show off recent creations.

One of the best times to experience Khao San is in April, during Songkran (Thailand's New Year celebration). For three days (April 13-15) the road is the ideal place to enjoy the Thai water festival. One monstrous water fight, nothing is left dry during the festival as everybody on the street celebrates by soaking the person standing next to him or her.

With all the wildlife alive on Khao San, what makes it so unique is the melting pot of world travelers that use it as a way station for their next journey. This mixture of nearly every nationality on the globe, stopping in to relate travel tales and create new ones, is what makes Khao San so special. Thailand's welcoming smiles and hospitality provide the backdrop for an ideal spot to meet the rest of the world. The collective Khao San experience is what you'll remember as you move on to your next destination…well that, and the food.

Article By: Agoda - Asia Online Hotel Bookings

Related articles

• Agoda and Bangkok Airways in Online Partnership
• Thailand In Style Reviews Thailand's Award Winning Spas and Retreats in 2008

Spice Yourself Up in Ox's Chinese New Year in Cool Chinese Destinations!!

Another year is in the bag, and the Chinese New Year is quickly approaching. The world’s largest annual family reunion, Chinese New Year is the most important date on the Chinese calendar.

Let's talk a little bit about Chinese New Year history, the Chinese calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to "catch up" with the solar calendar the Chinese insert an extra month once every few years (seven years out of a 19-year cycle).

This is the same as adding an extra day on leap year. This is why, according to the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year.

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors.

Prior to New Year's Day, Chinese families decorate their living rooms with vases of pretty blossoms, platters of oranges and tangerines and a candy tray with eight varieties of dried sweet fruit. On walls and doors are poetic couplets, happy wishes written on red paper. These messages sound better than the typical fortune cookie messages. For instance, "May you enjoy continuous good health" and "May the Star of Happiness, the Star of Wealth and the Star of Longevity shine on you" are especially positive couplets.

Chinese families from around the globe migrate home to celebrate and exchange gifts with friends and loved ones. This year the parties start early, as the Year of the Ox begins on January 26th and includes 15 days of the most food, fun and firecrackers this side of…er, China .

It’s a fantastic time to visit Chinese destinations and revel in the festivities. The period is marked by parades, dragon and lion dances, lanterns, fireworks and food, food, food! Hong Kong, Macau, Beijing, Shanghai and even Singapore are some of the best places to really enjoy the celebrations.

It is the single biggest 15-day party in the world, and the best time of year to enjoy China’s famed sights and sounds.

Discover Hong Kong in this Ox's Chinese New Year to spice your life up a little bit, will ya!!

Great Advice for Travelling Thailand on a Budget

A trip to Thailand should be on everyone's list. Not just for the beautiful people, fantastic weather, amazing sights and outstanding food, but because it's completely affordable. With the world’s pockets now feeling a lot lighter, Thailand should be on the hit list for those who still want to escape, but can't escape their budget. Here are some hints on travelling cheaply through the Land of Smiles.

Travel at the Right Time

The cheapest way to travel is to go during the 'green' or low season. In Thailand this season tends to run from mid-late April to the end of October for the majority of the hotels (depending on the location some hotels may extend it to November). Air travel, rooms, and tours all tend to be cheaper during this period.

Choose the Right Hotel

Budget hotels conjure up images of shared bathrooms, roaches and bad smells, but in Thailand you tend to get more for less. In Bangkok, check for hotels in the Khao San area. Known as a backpacker haven, a shared room with a mattress on the floor can be had for less than $2USD. If you are looking for private accommodations, a single room with an attached bathroom can cost less than $15 USD for a night. Families may want to skip Khao San and look for accommodations around the Sukhumvit area, where rooms with all the amenities can still be found for less than $50 USD.

Travelling in Bangkok

Without doubt, public transportation saves money. The trains (BTS and MRT) are well connected to major tourist areas throughout the city. Another inexpensive and fast option is the ubiquitous motorbike taxi. It is also the most effective mode of transportation when the notorious Bangkok traffic comes to a standstill. Taxis are everywhere and in comparison to North American rates, the cost is minimal. Just be sure drivers use the meter. Taxis are also available to be rented for day trips outside of Bangkok if you're looking for a cheap tour guide to sites nearby.

Getting out of Bangkok

Whether heading south to the islands of Samui or Phuket or north to Chiang Mai, flying during the low season is generally inexpensive. Low cost carriers such as Air Asia and Nok Air offer great savings during the green season. Often you can end up flying nearly for free (before taxes/surcharges of course). Overnight trains are another option, but only if you travel in third class (regular prices are similar to those offered by the airlines).

Samui and Phuket tend to be more expensive (and getting there even more so), so for a budget beach trip, check out locations closer to Bangkok (Hua Hin, Pattaya, Koh Samet). Bus service to these towns is quick (1.5-2 hours) and cheap (approximately $3USD).

Know where to Eat

Overall, food tends to be cheap in Thailand, and most locals eat at stalls and small restaurants that line Bangkok's streets. The food is cooked fresh, and a plate of rice and chicken can be had for less than a dollar. If you're worried about hygiene, stick to the busiest stalls. It's a good indication of which are the cleanest.

Water is readily available at all local marts, and a one liter bottle costs as little as $.50 USD. Alcohol runs up a tab anywhere, but you can save by ordering local brews or just buying a bottle of spirits instead of highballs and/or cocktails (most bars will save what you don’t finish for your next time in!).

Know Where to Shop

Just like the food, shopping is everywhere in Thailand. Pick up souvenirs at Chatuchak market, instead of shops lining Sukhumvit. For clothes, the cheapest option is Pratunam Market, an area also popular with wholesalers. The more you purchase, the lower the price per piece. You can even pick up brand name clothes at outlet malls with sales that tend to go throughout the year. For shoes and bags Siam Square or MBK are the popular spots. For t-shirts, jeans and shorts there are stalls everywhere. And always remember always to bargain!

Article provided by Agoda: Online Hotel Booking